Prime Minister states that the Government will not cut benefits for disabled children

December 14th 2011

Campaigners call for clarity on change in Universal Credit policy

The Prime Minister today (Wednesday 14^th December) denied that the Government will be cutting benefits for disabled children.

Anne McGuire MP, Shadow Minister for Disabled People, asked David Cameron during Prime Minister Question's about the cut in financial support for families with disabled children that will be applicable from 2013. She asked: "Earlier this week the Coalition Government voted down an amendment to protect the benefits of disabled children by a majority of 2. Can I ask the Prime Minister whether reducing benefits for disabled children by over £1300 per year is something that identifies with his much repeated mantra that we are all in this together?".

The Prime Minister responded saying "We are not cutting benefits for disabled children and actually we are uprating by 5.2% all those benefits so that people will see and increase in the benefits that they receive next year"

Laura Courtney, Campaign Manager for Every Disabled Child Matters said: "We hope that the Prime Minister's statement means that there has been a change of policy at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). To date, the Government's stated policy has been that the support that many low income and out of work families with disabled children currently receive under Tax Credits and Income Support will be reduced by 50% when Universal Credit is introduced in 2013. This reduction in support will apply to all families with disabled children in receipt of the high rate mobility component of DLA, the mid and low rates of Disability Living Allowance. We would welcome confirmation from the Prime Minister and the DWP that this will no longer be the case."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

1. Every Disabled Child Matters is the national campaign to get rights and justice for every disabled child. It is run by four leading organisations working with disabled children and their families: Contact a Family, Council for Disabled Children, Mencap and the Special Educational Consortium.   Find out more at www.edcm.org.uk
2. The Government policy relating to the reduction in benefits for disabled children in Universal Credit is set out in this document: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ucpbn-1-additions.pdf
3. An EDCM briefing on the reduction in benefits for disabled children in Universal Credit is set out in this document: /media/29259/additions_report_lords.pdf
4. The transcript of the debate and vote in the house of Lords can be viewed at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/111212-0002.htm#11121219000615
5. EDCM's supporter action emailing the prime minister asking for him to think again about cuts to families with disabled children can be viewed at: http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=6&ea.campaign.id=13027